Water Cycle
water returning to the ground from the atmosphere
Precipitation
The process when animals breath in oxygen and breath out CO2
Respiration
The most abundant gas in the atmosphere
nitrogen gas (N2)
coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of this
Fossil fuels
Where all the energy for an ecosystem comes from
The Sun
Process which liquid water becomes water vapor and returning to the atmosphere
Evaporation
The removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by plants
Photosynthesis
The conversion of N2 by bacteria into nitrates used by plants and other organisms.
Nitrogen Fixation
Burning fossil fuels increases this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere
CO2
The organisms that make their own food directly using the energy from the Sun
Producers (plants)
When water vapor becomes a liquid creating clouds in the atmosphere
Condensation
When carbon is consumed by an animal from a plant or other organism.
Feeding
What nitrates are used for by plants and other organisms
DNA, RNA, proteins
The increase in CO2, and other greenhouse gases, over time causes this process to speed up
The consumer that eats only plants
herbivore (primary consumer)
When water evaporates from Trees to return to the atmosphere
Transpiration
Decomposition
The process that changes nitrates into N2 (nitrogen gas) by bacteria
Denitrification
The problem created in waterways from runoff when too many nitrates are put into the soil for farming.
Eutrophication
The consumer that eats only other animals
The collection basin "sink" of water from runoff or precipitation in oceans, lakes, and streams
Reservoir
The process of burning fossil fuels returning CO2 to the atmosphere.
Combustion
When bacteria in the roots of plants take up nitrates from the soil
Assimilation
Oceans capture CO2 from the atmosphere. When too much CO2 is trapped in the oceans it goes through a chemical reaction that changes the pH and is known as this
Ocean Acidification
The consumer that eats mostly dead organic matter
Detritivore